On Thursday, 475 children participated in an event to make their school a better place to be and their lives a little healthier.
Students in kindergarten through sixth grade at Morgan Road Elementary in Liverpool took part in a walk-a-thon at the Liverpool High School stadium throughout the day Oct. 8. The event was to help the MRE Parent Teacher Organization raise money that will go toward field trips, school activities and school and class supplies among other items, said MRE PTO President Mary Jo Klein.
“We want all the money raised to stay at Morgan Road Elementary,” she said.
Klein added the PTO wanted a healthy way for the funds to be raised. Rather than a candy sale or another unhealthy alternative to raising money, the PTO opted to utilize the track during first year of the new stadium being open.
During their timeslot, many of the fourth-graders completed 16 laps around the track – the equivalent of four miles.
“These kids are really excited and determined,” Klein said.
Students raised money by asking donors to give a flat fee or a per lap fee. Each student was given a prize – a plastic reusable water bottle donated by Raymour & Flanigan – regardless of the amount they raised. Tops Friendly Markets on Route 57 donated bottled water for the participants to drink so they could stay hydrated during the activity.
According to Klein, the PTO is “all about health and fitness” this year. Many of the teachers, like Klein, who is a teaching assistant at BOCES, were walking with their students.
Klein said the PTO hopes this will become a major fundraiser for the school and the only one they will need to have.
